2 Users and 2 iPhones, but only 1 MBP. Need strategy.

Question

I have a MacBook Pro and iPod touch. I'll be getting a roommate soon at which time we both plan on purchasing iPhones. My research on these forums indicates you can use multiple devices, e.g. a touch and iPhone from the same Mac and iTunes. I'm not clear about 2 iPhones though. Also I cannot get my head around what strategy to use with iTunes to keep different playlists, videos, songs, apps, contacts, etc., etc. straight with one iTunes? Is iTunes smart enough to know which iPhone is which and the preferences for each separate? Even if yes doesn't that mean everything from both people will have to be in the same iTunes which could get confusing.
Any advice or strategy before I start my adventure would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
CC

Answer 1

I'm not clear about 2 iPhones though.
The same applies to 2 iPhones, which includes an iPod, and is the same as an iPod Touch except for the phone and camera.
Also I cannot get my head around what strategy to use with iTunes to keep different playlists, videos, songs, apps, contacts, etc., etc. straight with one iTunes? Is iTunes smart enough to know which iPhone is which and the preferences for each separate?
Yes. You can sync multiple iPods and/or iPhones with the same iTunes library on the same computer. There is no device limit, and each iPod and/or iPhone can have its own sync preferences with iTunes on the same computer.
Even if yes doesn't that mean everything from both people will have to be in the same iTunes which could get confusing.
It shouldn't get confusing. You can create your iTunes playlist and transfer your selected playlist to your iPhone only. The same for podcasts, video, 3rd party apps, and for photos transferred to your iPhone. Your roomate can do the same making the desired selections under the various tabs for his/her sync preferences.
The problem will be if you won't be sharing the same/existing iTunes account, and syncing contacts with the Address Book and calendar events with iCal.
A Mac is designed for multiple computer login accounts with each login account having its own Home folder directory that is kept seperate. You can enable Fast User Switching to make the process of switching between multiple login accounts a fast and easy process.
Your roomate can access his/her email accounts only with the Mail.app under his/her login account, the same for contacts in the Address Book, calendar events in iCal, iPhoto library, the iTunes library with a different iTunes account, along with all user data with both login accounts kept completely seperate. Each login account has a Shared folder where documents can be placed to be shared between each login account. Each login account can have its own wallpaper, screen saver, various computer settings, etc., etc. giving each login account the impression the computer is his/her own computer. Each login account has access to the same applications, and you can give another user account computer admin privileges or not.